When do we see the new DS 4 in Ireland?
When is the new DS 4 expected to hit showrooms here and will CompleteCar.ie be doing a review?
Patrick
Patrick Megan (Dun Laoghaire)Nov 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
The new DS 4 will be in Irish showrooms in time for the price announcement on December 10. We will be driving it on January 14, 2016, so keep an eye on our Car Reviews page for the first Irish drive.
I need a small, reliable commuting car.
Hello, looking for a small, economical, reliable car for commuting. I currently have a 1.0-litre Nissan Micra. I do 110km a day, 5-6 days a week.
What would you recommend?
Elaine Henry (Sligo)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
You're kind of on the cusp of being better off with a diesel with that kind of mileage. There are a few cars that are worth looking at. Sticking with petrol? Try a Honda Jazz - small but very spacious, and the 1.2-litre engine is pretty frugal. Want to go for a small diesel? Try a Volkswagen Polo. Want something a little more fun, but still very frugal (albeit not very roomy in the back)? Try a MINI Cooper D.
Will Infiniti come to Ireland?
Hi, just wondering if Infiniti has any plans to sell cars here in Ireland?
Cheers, Kevin.
Kevin Caulfield (Kildysart)Nov 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
We asked the current Nissan importer and got a pretty stock answer:
"This is under continuous review - it is likely that Infiniti will be launched when the decision is taken that the demand, conditions and the model line-up are right for the Irish market."
From our point of view, the new Q30 and forthcoming Infiniti QX30 are steps towards that happening, but we believe that Irish new car sales would have to top 150,000 units a year consistently before it would be considered. Competition is already tough here and Infiniti hasn't done all that well over in the UK.
What runaround to get for €10,000?
Please advise on best value annual costs for a small runaround. Budget c. €10,000. Anticipate c. 15,000km per annum - some on quite rough country lanes. I anticipate keeping the car for maybe 6/7 years so diesel a prefered option but those I have looked at - from Volkswagen up!/Skoda Citygo/SEAT Mii stable, Hyundai i10, Fiat Panda, Suzuki Alto/Splash all seem to be petrol only.
Thank you
Charles Cooper (Collooney)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Charles,
Yeah, with a small car like that (a) diesel is not generally available and (b) it would push up the price tag so much that you'd never earn the difference back in fuel savings. Of the ones you're looking at, I'd go with withe Hyundai i10 - it's really comfy and spacious for a small car, and should be sufficiently rugged to deal with the roads you're talking about. Plus the five-year warranty should help to keep the running costs down.
Relevant reviews:
What do you think of the Dacia Sandero?
What do you think of the Dacia Sandero 1.5 diesel?
Martin Murray (Ennis)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
The Sandero is one of those ‘Ronseal’ cars – it does what it says on the tin, and the tin is pretty cheap. It’s a very simple, small hatchback that’s long on value but short on refinement or excitement. The front is perfectly comfy for a long journey but the back seats are rather cramped if you’re trying to squeeze taller passengers or kids in big car seats in. It’s a solid, practical and pretty reliable thing though. Nothing wrong with it, and at that price point, that’s the point. The diesel though? It’s a very good engine, that 1.5, but in a car like the Sandero you’re probably better off going for either the basic 1.2 or the really impressive 900cc turbo petrols as you’ll be a long time getting the extra purchase price of the diesel back in fuel savings.
Should I buy a new Skoda Octavia L&K Combi?
Hi, you reviewed the Skoda Octavia L&K recently and I was wondering what wheel and engine noise were like in the cabin of the car. I am close to making a decision on a Combi estate version and the spec is very high compared to other similarly priced cars. Overall would you think it would be a good investment, as I intend to keep it for five years at least?
Many thanks, Ian O'Neill
Ian O'Neill (Waterford)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
Cracking car, but yes, you do get a good bit of tyre noise, especially in the back. Take it for a good test drive on the nearest motorway or dual carriageway to see if it's too noisy for you.
Ford Kuga: any reviews on it?
Ford Kuga: any reviews on it?
Mary Byrne (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
What's the 60,000km service for an Avensis?
How to do a 60,000-kilometre service on a 2010 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre?
Dominic Espey (Stranorlar)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Dominic,
Toyota Ireland kindly provided the full service list for 60,000 kilometres. See below image.
What's the top automatic Renault Kadjar?
What will the top of the range automatic Renault Kadjar cost?
John Robertson (Abbeyleix )Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
At the time of writing, the Renault Kadjar pricing ranges from €24,990 to €33,990, the latter for the top-of-the range Kadjar Signature Nav powered by the 130hp 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine featuring four-wheel drive.
It's not currently possible to pair an automatic gearbox with that 1.6-litre engine though, so the most expensive automatic Kadjar is the Signature Nav powered by the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine with 110hp. That costs €32,290.
Are my maths on PCP payments right?
Why are final payments on PCP contracts so high? For every brand I look at, if I calculate the deposit plus finance cost plus final payment it seems I end up paying about nine or ten thousand more than the car is worth!
Daniel Henderson (Cork)Apr 2015 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
Not sure how your maths is working out there. PCP is supposed to work like this: pay a deposit and then finance the balance, minus the agreed minimum value. That should add up to the total purchase price of the car, plus any interest payable on the amount financed.
The theory then is that the car's residual value at the end of the finance period is sufficient to pay off the final 'bubble' payment and leave some left over to act as the deposit for a new car.
If you're adding that all and coming up with more than the new purchase price then either (a) your calculator needs new batteries or (b) you're not allowing for the interest payable.
Further reading: